32

[perfectsymmetry]

[Like a few other folks in town, something is up with Crowe. The usually bright paperboy, who chats pleasantly with everyone, is skulking about town looking downright volitile. Anyone who approaches him will be met with unusual hostility and bitter remarks.

He'll be still going about his usual business though. He'll show up to blitzball and combat practice with Jecht and his friends. He'll be absolutely ruthless today though, especially while fighting. Enjoy, Jecht!

Even after that, he can be found in the rec center, using the boxing equipment there, fiercely pummeling the practice bags. His fists, by this point, are raw and are starting to bleed. Occasionally, he stops and grabs his head, looking like he might be a bit dizzy. A small part of him is telling him that something is wrong, VERY wrong. But it's quickly quashed. This is the way he is now. The way he always should have been. Right?]

Comments

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

...n...o. It'll take like ten seconds to wrap, I promise. I know my way around gauze.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I... I don't need your help.

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

...but you do need a bandaid. Chill the machismo and let me take a look.

[]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He angrily snaps his wrist away.]

Wh-whaat do you think you're doing?! I said leave me alone.

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He turns around and starts punching again, but he's losing his stamina, and is breating heavily. Crowe's run himself too thin so many times here in Mayfield, and now is no exception. The Raven's Blood - unknown to him - isn't making it any easier.]

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

...what the hell, Calleo--?

[]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[You tug at him and he stumbles back a bit, and he turns to you with an angry look.]

What do you want? I'm trying to practice!

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

Want you not to break yourself. [] Heck's got you in such a bad mood, eh...?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Snaps his hands away again. He may be tired, but he's a strong guy.]

Nothing. I'm fine. What are you not getting here?

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

The part where bleeding and being totally pissy is 'fine.'

[]

I mean, you don't have to tell me what you're ticked about, I just-- at least let me help with the you not getting an infection thing. That's what friends do, y'know? Help.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I don't need friends. Not here. Especially not here.

[He grabs a nearby towel in an attempt to clean up his hands. He gives them a long look - normally a thief would never give them so much abuse. But what did that matter anymore?]

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

That's not-- Dude. Just-- don't say that.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

It's true. Friends here get you nothing. They're either lying to your face, they treat you like garbage no matter how well you treat them. Or they... they just get to leave and go home, and you're still stuck in this rotten place.

[So completely contrary to his attitude just a few days ago. Now cleaned up, he goes back to the punching bag.]

Useless.

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

I-I'm serious. Don't say stuff like-- Calleo, if someone hurt you, we can fix it, but don't-- take it out like this--

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Even in his addled state, somewhere deep down he knows punching at this bag is keeping him from hitting a person instead. He keeps going and ignores you holding on to him.]

Don't you see? Every last one of them, bloody useless!

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

No! That's just-- just not true!

Because if it were, then you'd be useless a-and you're not! Not to me!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He stops punching a moment, and clutches the bag to catch his breath. He's looking a little pale.]

N-no, I'm better than this town. They sit around and worry about... about nothing, they only care about themselves. I'll get out of here, I'll figure it out and to hell with the rest of you!

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

They're just scared, like everyone else. They're not bad people here, it's just they're nervous and unhappy like--

[]

--like whatever's wrong with you right now and that's okay. Please don't be angry with them. Y-you're so much better than that.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I said I'm fine! I just-- I-it's like I've had my eyes opened up now! I've been such an idiot all this time, thinking I can trust you people. Th-that's all!

[He hasn't bothered trying to shrug you off. He's so tired.]

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

Stop saying that! You're tired and you're unhappy and it sucks here-- I get that. It's gonna happen. But don't-- This is just a bad feeling, Calleo, it'll pass and you'll feel better-- I promise you will.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

You... you can't promise me anything here! No one can. You'll just-- you'll just go home like everyone else, and I'll still be stuck in this hellhole trying to figure out how to get out! That's why I don't need you. I'll figure it out on my own. Don't you get it?! Crane was right. I don't... I don't need you!

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

But the thing is I already promised. And y-you promised too. One person at a time, right? Being the person strong enough to keep smiling?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe's knees weaken, and he slides to the floor. You might be going for a ride, Ren.]

Don't you get it?! That'll never happen, not here! Everyone here... they're just as rotten as the town. I-it's just taken me this long to see it! How could I have been so naive?

[teh-sword.livejournal.com]

[]

That's not true. You're here too. And you're not rotten. And I'm here now. A-and that's two, right? Like we said before.